Allardyce leading race to land teen sensation Morrison from Man United

Hammer time: Ravel Morrison could be heading to West Ham

Sam Allardyce is in pole position to land 18-year-old Manchester United striker Ravel Morrison.

Morrison stunned Manchester United by demanding 30,000 a week, despite the teenager making just three first-team appearances.

Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his exasperation with the talented but troubled 18-year-old, describing his demands as 'unrealistic'.

Sportsmail revealed last week how United have offered Morrison 12,000 a week – an amazing salary for someone so young – and while the player has denied rejecting a new offer, there is now understood to be an impasse. It is not clear if the 30,000-a week demand includes bonuses.

And with West Ham keen on the forward United could decide to sell the player.

A 14-year-old New Zealand amateur has become the youngest winner of a professional tour event with victory in the New South Wales Open.

Lydia Ko broke the record of 15 years and eight months set by Japan's Ryo Ishikawa as the New Zealander shot a three under par final round of 69 to finish the tournament on 14 under, four strokes clear of Wales' Becky Morgan at the Oatlands Golf Club.

Ko, a school student in Auckland and plans to take part in the Australian Masters and the LPGA Australian Open.

Young gun: Ko is the youngest ever winner of a pro tournament

'To be part of history is like a miracle,' said Ko. 'It's not something you can have by clicking your fingers.

'My driver and iron play were probably the nicest to me over the past two days. added South Korea-born Ko, who moved to New Zealand in 2003.

'I also putted well, but I was in good position on most of the greens because I was able to make approaches from good places on the fairways'

The 50-year-old was dismayed to read stories suggesting Tottenham could be ready to activate a release-clause in the Senegal international's contract this month after a stunning 15-goal start to his Magpies' career.

Striking sensation: Demba Ba has notched 15 Premier League goals this season

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was asked about the 26-year-old, and his reply sparked a frenzy of rumours.

However, asked about the matter today, a terse Pardew said: 'I thought, listening to the conversation, that the media tripped him up a little bit, Harry.

Prize asset: Alan Pardew congratulates Ba during the 3-0 win over Manchester United

'You don't want to end up talking about
other players in the transfer window and I am sure he probably regrets
that a little bit.

'He's a Newcastle player, he has been brilliant for us and that's all I want to say, really.'

Zaha’s electrifying performance in Palace’s Carling Cup victory at Manchester United last month has convinced Toon manager Alan Pardew that he is good enough for the Barclays Premier League.

Dougie Freedman’s side have told the striker to wait for a top-four Premier League team to come in for him before he even considers quitting Selhurst Park.

Making an impact: Wilfried Zaha excelled against Manchester United, and is now wanted by a host of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle

But Pardew has been promised that there is money to spend at Newcastle in the transfer window and Zaha has become their principal target. The 19-year-old is about to sign a new five-and-a-half-year contract at Palace and the club insist the Ivory Coast-born forward is not for sale.

They have a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against Cardiff in the new year and also want to push on for the Championship play-offs.

Despite Palace’s intention to hold on to their star player, Newcastle remain undeterred and will make their move in January.

Zaha is already established in England’s Under 19 team, but he was watched by Under 21 manager Stuart Pearce during last week’s 2-1 defeat at Barnsley. Pearce is preparing to promote him to his squad next year.

Blade runner- Jonnie Peacock, the 18 year old from Cambridge, looks set to meet South African sensation Oscar Pistorius in the 100m (T44) at the London 2012 Paralympics.

When photographing Peacock last week at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, on a sunny winter day, I had it in mind to shoot some outdoor action pictures of him on the track.

Things rarely go as planned in this job and Jonnie told me he was injured so couldn’t run outside.

As luck would have it, just as he was telling me this I noticed there was a lovely pool of natural light on the second bend of the indoor track. I decided to position him in a classic stance in this late afternoon light.

I like the warm feel the natural light brings to this image and the shadow it casts on the track.

Its makes a change to be using natural light for features at this time of year and not relying on using artificial photographic lights.